Razeen Gutta
The Senegal national football team were given a heroes welcome upon their return to Dakar after winning their first ever international trophy.
Senegal’s President Macky Sall cancelled his trip to Comoros to ensure he was available to welcome the squad back home on Monday afternoon.
The players were each awarded 700 square metres of land by the presidency alongside cash and Senegal’s highest honour, the National Order of the Lion and the team were given a celebratory ceremony at the Palace of the Republique.
The president announced that the day would be a national holiday to celebrate the historic victory.
“As a testament of our gratitude, and in the name of the nation, the players and other members of the official delegation will each receive a special bonus of 50,000,000 CFA (R1.3 million), and a 200-square metre plot of land in Dakar,” President Sall said.
“They will each also receive a 700-square metre plot of land in the first district of the new city of Diamniadio.”
He said the trophy was a subject of time of patience.
“We desired it so much. We dreamed of it so much as did generations before us,” he said.
Liverpool star Sadio Mané, who was awarded the player of the tournament award, said that this was his biggest achievement yet.
“It’s the best day of my life and the best trophy of my life. I have won the Champions League and some trophies but this is the special one for me,” he told Eurosport.
“This is more important for me. I am happy for myself, my people and all of my family. The trophy belongs to the whole Senegal team. Everyone deserves it,” he said.
Their victory came after a hard fought battle with Egypt which went all the way to a penalty shootout.
Image source: @Goal
